GM India showcases Beat EV in New Delhi

Posted on: Jun 23, 2011 - 9:51am IST

GM India today showcased the Chevrolet Beat Electric Vehicle in a demo program in New Delhi. The Beat EV is part of the ongoing celebrations of World Environment Day and is brought to India to study the feasibility of electric vehicles in major metros.

IAB readers were hinted of this development back in the last week of May 2010 when we said the Beat EV would be internationally relevant and hence a better product to invest on.

GM will start testing the car in India with no definite plans to launch the model. It has a range of 130km and takes about 8 hours to charge completely.

The battery pack is adopted from the Chevrolet Volt which in its concept form was shown at the Auto Expo in New Delhi last year.

GM had tied up with REVA to bring out a Spark EV. The demonstration covered widely by the media, was conducted at last year’s Auto Expo. But soon after Mahindra acquired REVA last year, GM severed ties and said it will pursue an internal EV program which the Beat EV is the result of.

Chevrolet Beat EV powertrain

The Beat EV uses a 300 cell lithium-ion battery weighing 270kg and possess an energy capacity of approximately 20 kWh. GM India says that under everyday driving conditions, the car will operate for 130 km. The liquid cooled battery is not temperature sensitive and can operate between -20?to 45?, and takes less than 8 hours using a 240V outlet. Drive to the wheels is via a single speed drive unit and an electric motor producing about 45kW of power.

GM India is not very serious about putting this vehicle on the market as the press release states that India is one of the test markets for this product along with China, Korea and Germany. L-Ion batteries are way too expensive for the cost-conscious Indian buyer who experiences frequent power cuts at home and work. Before battery, GM has to impress with diesel products. The first mass-market diesel product will be the Beat diesel in the second half of July.

Will the hot and dusty conditions along with the poorly laid roads prove as an obstacle for the Beat EV? Only time will tell.

Chevrolet selects India as an important market to test battery electric technology

New Delhi: Leading a ‘tailored for India’ demo program, General Motors India today showcased the Chevrolet Beat Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) as part of the ongoing celebrations of World Environment Day. The demonstration vehicle will be used by GM India to showcase the effectiveness of battery electric vehicle technology in India. GM India engineers will also use the vehicle to address potential cost savings to help make BEVs more affordable for global customers.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Karl Slym, President & Managing Director, General Motors India said, “General Motors is committed to providing customers around the world with electrification technologies that will reduce their fuel consumption, helping them save money. GM India will lead in this ‘tailored for India’ demo program for battery electric technology, with Chevrolet Beat chosen as the best way to evaluate the technology. We are delighted that Chevrolet selected India as an important market to test battery electric technology, while recognizing the capabilities of our engineering team to help identify ways to make this technology more affordable.”

Powered by a 300 cell lithium-ion battery with a total energy capacity of approximately 20 kWh, the 270 kg battery can power the Beat for at least 130 km under normal driving conditions. The liquid cooled battery can operate in temperatures ranging from approximately -20?to 45?, with charge times of less than 8 hours using a 240V outlet. Power from the battery is transferred to the drive wheels through a single speed drive unit and an electric motor producing approximately 45kW of power.

This demonstration project is the latest example of GM’s commitment to be a leader in the development of vehicle electrification technologies. GM has already announced demonstration programs in Korea, China and Germany. The company is committed to delivering customers around the world with electrification solutions that best fit their lives, including the industry’s first extended-range electric vehicles: Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera.

Learnings from this demonstration fleet, and others around the world, will strengthen GM’s core vehicle electrification competencies including batteries, electric motors and power electronic and controls, and charging. GM India is already offering a range of alternate fuel vehicles including Chevrolet Beat LPG, Chevrolet Spark LPG and Chevrolet Aveo CNG to its valued customers.

GM has already established battery leadership. It has one of the most advanced battery labs in the world at its Technical Center in Warren, Michigan in the United States and will be opening a new battery lab in China soon.

The year 2011 marks the completion of 100 years of Chevrolet’s successful operations globally. With a wide array of products and services, Chevrolet has brought unmatched product quality and unparalleled performance to the customers around the world. Inspirational designs, superior technology and innovative programs have made Chevrolet one of the most-loved and sought after brand worldwide. Continuing its journey, Chevrolet plans to launch several new products and services for the global audience, relevant to the respective markets and customer preferences.

[…] mass production globally) was one such staggering achievement. Another interesting product was the Beat EV unveiled in June. We have thoroughly covered the car’s development since the time it was […]